A person with a panic disorder will often have overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety which will at times become full blown panic attacks. This is when a person hyperventilates, can feel as though they are out of body and looking down on themselves or that they, or their surroundings, are not real. Panic attacks can be frightening and embarrassing. A fear of having panic attacks can develop.
Symptoms of a panic disorder can include:
- a racing heartbeat
- feeling faint
- sweating
- nausea
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- trembling
- hot flushes
- chills
- shaky limbs
- a choking sensation
- dizziness
- numbness or pins and needles
- dry mouth
- a need to go to the toilet
- ringing in your ears
- a feeling of dread or a fear of dying
- a churning stomach
- a tingling in your fingers
- feeling like you’re not connected to your body
Source NHS.
In some cases a panic disorder can be a ‘style’ of Complex PTSD.
Exploring the root causes of a panic disorder with a counsellor can help to alleviate and in some cases stop panic attacks.
